KARAI stared out the window, watching the city blur past as Rodrigo hummed along to the radio, tapping his fingers on the wheel. He was in a good mood, unlike me. Parties. I never liked them—unless they involved strategies, tracking criminals, and taking down the bad guys. Those, I excelled at. This? Not so much. "Come on, cheer up, sweet Kara," Rodrigo teased, flashing me a grin. I sighed. "I only agreed to come because you asked nicely." He scoffed, rolling his eyes like I'd just insulted him. "I promise it'll be fun." I didn’t bother answering. Instead, I turned my attention back to the streets, silently hoping the event would be over before I lost my mind. The car eventually came to a stop in front of a massive building. Rodrigo stepped out first, coming around to open my door before taking my hand in his. Lately, he had made a habit of holding my hand whenever he could, and I had stopped protesting. It was pointless. The moment we stepped inside, something shifted
KARAI stared out the window, watching the city blur past as Rodrigo hummed along to the radio, tapping his fingers on the wheel. He was in a good mood, unlike me. Parties. I never liked them—unless they involved strategies, tracking criminals, and taking down the bad guys. Those, I excelled at. This? Not so much. "Come on, cheer up, sweet Kara," Rodrigo teased, flashing me a grin. I sighed. "I only agreed to come because you asked nicely." He scoffed, rolling his eyes like I'd just insulted him. "I promise it'll be fun." I didn’t bother answering. Instead, I turned my attention back to the streets, silently hoping the event would be over before I lost my mind. The car eventually came to a stop in front of a massive building. Rodrigo stepped out first, coming around to open my door before taking my hand in his. Lately, he had made a habit of holding my hand whenever he could, and I had stopped protesting. It was pointless. The moment we stepped inside, something shifted
DYLANI downed my fourth glass of whiskey, barely acknowledging the curious stares from those passing by. My mind was a fucking mess. Closing my eyes, I let my thoughts drift—to *her*. Those perfect, tiny lips wrapped tightly around my cock, those slender legs locked around my waist as I pounded into her, dragging her into ecstasy. Fuck. I was going insane over a Neotide I hadn't even spoken to since my Wolf scented her as mine—who might not even be mine to claim. The glass was halfway to my lips when a familiar voice cut through my haze. "The night's still young to be this drunk, isn't it, Brother?" I didn't bother turning. "None of your fucking business." Thiago laughed, the sound irritatingly carefree as he took the empty chair next to mine. My brother and I were cut from different cloth. He was the golden son, the obedient one, our father's pride and joy. Me? I had always been the pain in the ass. The one who pushed boundaries. The one our mother favored until she
The party went on, and I did everything in my power to avoid his gaze. Rodrigo stayed by my side, keeping me company, something I was grateful for. The room was filled with shifters—both young and old. I observed from a distance as Dylan slid the ring onto her finger, and my chest tightened. I told myself it shouldn’t matter, that it didn’t matter, yet it did. When our eyes met across the room, everything else faded. The engagement ceremony finally ended, and Tiffany was glowing, basking in the congratulations from their guests. But Dylan… he looked miserable. Something twisted deep inside me at the sight. Was he being forced into this marriage? Or did he feel the same strange pull I did? No. I shoved the thought away. I didn’t know where these emotions were coming from, but I had to kill them before they consumed me. This—whatever this was—had to be some side effect of the bite. Maybe becoming a shifter had altered my instincts, making me drawn to another of my kind. Th
DYLAN’S POVWatching her dance with another man was like torture, a slow, agonizing pain that crawled through my chest, burning through every inch of me. It took everything in me not to let my wolf take over, to not storm onto that dance floor and rip her away from him. My jaw clenched as I followed her every move, my fists curled at my sides. I shouldn’t be watching her this closely, but I couldn’t help it. She was my mate. Mine. And yet, I was forced to stand back, forced to witness another man touch what was meant to belong to me. Then I saw them—Tiffany and Nia. The moment they made their way toward Kara, I knew nothing good would come of it. I moved without thinking, my steps quick and sharp as I closed the distance between us. Just as I suspected, Tiffany was already running her mouth, her words slicing through the air like a blade aimed straight at my mate. My blood boiled, the anger in me snapping like a wild beast as I made my presence known, my voice a growl of warni
The drive back was silent. Too silent. Kara’s thoughts drifted to what Rodrigo and Mr. Gasper had discussed. Ever since Rodrigo returned from that conversation, something in his expression had changed—subtle, but there. A certain solemnity, like whatever had been said was important. Maybe even troubling. She didn’t ask. Instead, she leaned against the cool glass of the window, watching as the city blurred past in streaks of neon and headlights. Then, inevitably, her mind circled back to Dylan. The few minutes they had spent together had been the best she’d felt since that awful night. There was something about him—something dangerous, something raw—but at the same time, he brought her a calmness she couldn’t explain. She closed her eyes, allowing the memory to pull her back. ***AT THE PARTY “Walk with me, Kara.” His voice was low, commanding, leaving no room for argument. And yet, she followed. Dylan led her through the party, past the curious glances and whispere
The blaring ring of my alarm shattered the silence, yanking me out of sleep. I groaned, blindly reaching for the clock, shutting it off with more force than necessary. My head ached—a dull, persistent throb that made me wince as I rubbed my temples. Sunlight streamed through the parted curtains, golden rays piercing into my room, chasing away the remnants of sleep. I forced myself out of bed and took a quick shower, letting the cold water snap me awake. Dressed in slacks and a hoodie, I made my way downstairs, drawn by the scent of breakfast already laid out. Everyone was gathered around the table—everyone except Rodrigo. “Kara!” Malia’s excited voice rang out the moment I stepped into the room. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, and before I could even take a seat, she was already leaning forward. “How was last night? Spill!” I froze mid-step as every pair of eyes turned toward me. “I heard you guys come in late, but I let you sleep,” Malia continued, waving her fork. “Now
Two days had passed since my conversation with Rodrigo in his office. Two long days spent locked in my room, avoiding him, avoiding everyone. The only person I interacted with was the maid who brought my food, and even then, I barely spoke. My thoughts were too loud, too consuming. I kept replaying everything—how my perfect life had crumbled into chaos, how I had gone from being set up, molested, and bitten by a wolf to becoming one myself. And now, I was supposed to decide whether to work with the largest, strongest pack in the country. The same pack that could give me the resources I needed to take down ASA and find the bastard who did this to me. I hated that my life had become this complicated. For forty-eight hours, I turned Rodrigo’s offer over and over in my mind, trying to make sense of it. Maybe he wasn’t pressuring me for his own gain. Maybe this really was my best option. And I needed a job. It wasn’t in my nature to sit back and let someone else take care of me. Bu
Dylan guided me out into the garden, our footsteps crunching lightly over a stone path lined with dew-soaked grass. The early sun bathed the garden in a soft, golden hue, but the energy around him was anything but calm. His grip on my hand was firm, his aura simmering with restrained anger. I felt it pulsing off him, thick in the air.We stopped before an old, ivy-covered wooden door nestled between two arching hedges. Without a word, he pushed it open, gently tugging me inside. The scent of earth and jasmine wrapped around us like a welcome home.The moment I stepped in, my breath caught.“Dylan…” My voice was a hushed gasp. “This is… this is stunning.”A glass greenhouse stretched before me, bathed in natural light. Hanging planters overflowed with delicate vines, orchids danced along the corners, and rose bushes bloomed in neat rows along the stone path that wound through the center. Soft music, like wind chimes and rustling leaves, seemed to echo off the walls. “It belonged to m
Finally, the car slowed to a stop, the low hum of the engine fading into silence. We had arrived.Despite Dylan’s comforting presence beside me, my stomach coiled with nerves. The last time I stepped foot on this estate, it was for an engagement party—an event that had ended in humiliation and whispers. I guessed the wedding was officially off now.Dylan’s hand found mine, his grip firm and grounding. He didn’t say a word—he didn’t have to. We stepped out into the chilled evening, and the sight of the mansion came into view. A sprawling estate of stone and glass, its windows glowed with warm light, casting soft shadows across the manicured hedges and marble columns. The scent of roses and pine drifted through the crisp air, mixing with the faint aroma of wood smoke from the distant chimneys.Before we reached the grand oak doors, they opened for us. A young woman in a crisp black-and-white maid uniform stood there, her eyes lowered in respect.“Welcome, Alpha. Welcome, Luna.”Luna?
Seconds seemed like hours as I awaited my mate's explanation of what was going on. Eventually, he spoke up, and the audacity he had—to smirk at me— “I called Harriet over so she could get your make-over done. She is the best in her field and also a friend I trust,” he made clear, yet I am still muddled.“Why would I need a make-over in the first place?” I ask the first question that comes to my mind. “Because we are going to the New Age Pack house for dinner,” he mutters, staring at me. And in that moment—I am stumped. He drops the bomb right on me. “You can not be serious…..” I manage to retort, as tension gradually begins to rise in the room, regardless of the hard expression on his face. “You know damn well I'm not good with jokes.” “But Dylan… I… I don't think I'm ready to meet them yet. I need more time,” my voice trembles, fragile with dread. “It is time, Kara. I do not wish to proceed with this concealment. I need my Luna by my side.” “What about how I feel, uh?
Kara’s POVThe next day, I decided to wake up early and make breakfast myself. Of course, he had people for everything—but I’d given them the day off. I wanted to do this for him. I made most of his favorite meals. Cooking wasn’t something I did often, and definitely not for just anyone. It was something sacred to me. A gesture, a soft confession. If I cooked for you, it meant I held you dear. It was my way of showing care when words didn’t quite cut it.Dylan’s kitchen was massive—luxurious and modern, yet oddly untouched. His fridge was stocked with everything: cans, raw meats, fruits, ingredients I hadn’t seen in ages. Everything I needed was there, and before long, I had breakfast ready. Warm. Personal. Made with love.I was still setting the table when I heard the sharp sound of heels clicking against the tile. Footsteps. My heart skipped. With my back to the door, I imagined it was him, my mate—maybe about to sneak up behind me and wrap those strong arms around my wais
Kara's povThe sweet sensation crammed through my body, scattering goosebumps across my skin and dragging me out of slumber. Warm hands roamed my skin, exploring like they’d missed me, and then—a kiss. Soft lips pressed against mine, coaxing my eyes to flutter open. And there he was. The most handsome man I'd ever laid eyes on. Those cute, sleepy puppy eyes blinked at me, and I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at my lips. “Good morning, baby…” his voice was seductive, rough like gravel soaked in honey. He captured my lips again in a sizzling kiss, sucking gently, tenderly, with so much care it made me moan softly into his mouth. My body responded with need, alive under his touch. “Good morning to you too, boss,” I whispered, breathless when we broke apart. Dylan growled low at the word, making me laugh. “I hate it when you call me that,” he grumbled, voice thick with mock annoyance. “I think I’ll have to punish you whenever you do.” “I think I’d love to taste your p
The old lady began her story as the entire group listened carefully.“Marjorie was only eighteen when she met Freddy back in college. She was the brightest person I have ever known—so full of life, with a beautiful soul. Though her father was filthy rich, she never let that get to her head and treated everyone with respect. When Freddy came into the picture, she decided to hide their relationship from her family and also the public. Well, except me—I was the only one who knew of their relationship.”“In no time, she became overwhelmed with the love he showered on her, and had given not just her heart but also her body to Freddy. They were both lucky to conceal the relationship until after college without being caught… until Freddy proposed to Marjorie.”“What happened next?” Kara asked.“Marjorie finally introduced him to her parents. However, her father—who had known of their relationship all along—was against their marriage that instant, causing his daughter pain. The old man tried
Kara sobbed uncontrollably in the arms of her mate, her body trembling as the weight of truth tore old wounds wide open. The room had gone still, heavy with silence. Every person seated was frozen in shock, the gravity of Bryson’s words sinking like stones in their chests.“I remember just like yesterday the day she died,” Kara choked through her sobs, her voice fragile. “I was at school when the accident happened. Both my parents died… their bodies couldn’t be found because of the fire.”Rodrigo leaned forward, disbelief etched across his face. “If what you say is true, then why didn’t Marjorie’s family search for Kara all these years? And how did ASA end up in the hands of that lunatic Dave?”Bryson exhaled slowly, the tension pressing into his shoulders. “After Marjorie lost her father, she got news that her mother wanted to see her. But her husband, Freddy, refused to let her go back. So, her longtime friend and cousin met with her in secret. They talked… and she decided to sign
Kara's POVIn the heart of a breathtaking garden, I stood—alone. Vibrant blooms of every shape and color surrounded me, swaying gently beneath a sky painted in shades of cerulean. The air was fragrant with life. My gaze drifted until it caught on a cluster of roses, their petals blushing red, stretching proudly across the garden floor like a sea of velvet. But as I stepped closer, unease bloomed in my chest. *Where am I?*Then, a voice—familiar and strange all at once—cut through the quiet. I turned, and there he was.Dylan.He stood just a few steps away, arms outstretched, his expression soft, inviting. And without even thinking, I ran to him. My body collided with his, and warmth enveloped me in a way that felt real—painfully, desperately real.But it didn’t last.A sudden rift tore through the earth between us, yanking us apart. The winds shrieked with violence, ripping the petals from their stems. The sky, once a perfect blue, darkened into something wicked and heavy. Dylan f
DYLAN'S POVWe ran. As fast as our legs could carry us, driven by the piercing, heart-shattering scream echoing down the hallway. My heart pounded, skipping beats with each sound of her agony. My Wolf thrashed within me—wild, desperate, terrified for our mate. As we reached the door, Craig, Bryson, a few others—and Gigi—were already there. Bryson stood frozen, eyes wide. The second my gaze fell on her, goosebumps flooded my skin. She was on the ground. Curled up like a child cowering from thunder. Her screams tore at my soul.“Don’t come close! Please—don’t hurt me!” she cried again and again, her voice ragged and raw.The fear in her eyes was unlike anything I’d ever seen—dense, broken, haunted. Without thinking, my feet moved. I rushed to her, aching to touch her, to calm her, to bring her back—but she flinched and snarled at me.“Leave me alone! I’m begging you—please stop! It hurts! Don’t come close!”My world shattered.My mate didn’t recognize me.“Baby, it’s me… it’s Dylan.